Palace Malice Launches Comeback in $100,000 Diablo Stakes

Palace Malice, the Belmont Stakes (G1) winner in 2013, has been tabbed as the 7-5 morning line favorite for trainer Todd Pletcher. He has been on the shelf since finishing sixth in the Whitney Stakes (G1) in August at Saratoga. A five-year-old son of Curlin, he has won seven of his seventeen starts and has been training steadily for his return to the races. John Velazquez will be aboard and they are scheduled to break from post position six.

Palace trying to rebound in second start of the year

Linda Rice will saddle Palace as the second choice at 3-1 on the morning line. A New York-bred son of City Zip, the six-year-old is an eleven-time winner and a multiple Grade 1 winning sprinter. He is trying to rebound after finishing fifth in the Carter Handicap (G1) in his lone start of the year. He will have regular rider Cornelio Velasquez aboard and they are scheduled to break from post position two as he makes his second start this season.

Inconsistent Clearly Now trying to return to form

Also in the field at morning line odds of 7-2 is Clearly Now for trainer Brian Lynch. A five-year-old son of Horse Greeley, he has been on the board in thirteen of his seventeen starts and is a five-time winner. Though not consistent, he is a multiple graded stakes winner and is trying to return to form after a seventh-place effort in the Carter (G1). Javier Castellano will be aboard and they will break from the outside post.